Step-parent adoptions are becoming increasingly common in Indiana. When a step-parent wants to become a legal parent of their spouse’s child, they begin this adoption process with the approval of their spouse. Step-parents can decide to adopt for many reasons, but the major reasons are as follows: (a) the child has grown attached to the step-parent and vice versa, and the biological parent is absent from the child’s life or has abandoned them, (b) the step-parent wants to legalize what is already a reality and legally commit to being responsible for the child, (c) the parents want to give the child equal status with all of the other children in the household, especially as it pertains to inheritance, custody , health insurance coverage, and sometimes the same last name, and (d) the step-parent wants to formally demonstrate his or her affection for the child and solidify that they are a unified familial unit.
Indiana law outlines the procedures necessary to obtain a step-parent adoption, and they are similar to the requirements for most other kinds of adoptions. Step-parents, however, are encouraged to seek the qualified advice of a family law adoption attorney admitted to the Bar in Indiana to discuss your particular situation and obtain guidance on the adoption process. The Indiana Court will want to assure that the adoption is in the child’s best interests, that the petitioner (step-parent) is sufficiently able to raise the child to adulthood, provide him or her with suitable support and education, and that there is no criminal history that would prohibit the step-parent from adopting.
Most counties in Indiana will require that a home study, or Family Preparation Assessment, be completed on the step-parent. MLJ Adoptions International can complete a step-parent home study for you! A social worker from our agency will schedule an appointment with you to come to your home, meet your family, talk with you about your background and desire to adopt, speak with the child about the adoption (if age-appropriate), and take a tour of your home. You will be asked to complete paperwork about your finances, health, criminal history, Child Protective Services history, education, family history, and parenting style. Essentially, your fitness as a prospective adoptive parent will be assessed, as will the support of your family to proceed with this endeavor. A finalized written home study will be provided to you to submit to the Court. Although our home studies are completed both thoroughly and professionally, our staff works very hard to assure your comfort level throughout the process.
In cases where a county decides to waive a home study, MLJ Adoptions International can also help complete your criminal, Child Protective Services and sex offender background checks, which are required by Indiana state law. Background check services are provided at an hourly rate.
MLJ Adoptions International can help you achieve your goal of a step-parent adoption by completing a step-parent home study! Please call us at (317) 875-0058.
Photo Credit: Shelley Rich
Karlene Edgemon, MS, LSW
Karlene Edgemon works as MLJ Adoptions’ Director of Social Services. Throughout her 25 year social services career, Karlene has been able to watch adoption transform the lives of children and she is always brainstorming new ways to support adoptive families before, during and after their adoption.
Karlene Edgemon, MS, LSW
Karlene Edgemon works as MLJ Adoptions’ Director of Social Services. Throughout her 25 year social services career, Karlene has been able to watch adoption transform the lives of children and she is always brainstorming new ways to support adoptive families before, during and after their adoption.